Mainstream Author Highlight: Susan Cooper

Last year, I listed Susan Cooper's novel The Dark is Rising as one of my favorites, but I wanted to take some time to highlight more of her books. While not specifically Christian, they are centered around the age-old battle between good and evil, and will appeal to fantasy-lovers of all ages.

Cooper's five-part series, The Dark is Rising, is an excellent example of high fantasy (fantasy dealing with the legend of King Arthur). The series is complex, well-written, and full of surprises. Most appealing to me, as a child, was the concept of Light versus Dark, and the fact we all must choose which we will serve.

Simon, Jane, and Barnabas Drew are ordinary children who become involved in extraordinary adventures. Book one, Over Sea, Under Stone highlights the Drew children on summer vacation in Cornwall. The second book, The Dark is Rising, takes place over Christmas, and is the story of Will Stanton, the seventh of nine children. Will learns, on his eleventh birthday, he is the last of the Old Ones to be born. Old Ones exist throughout the world and are devoted to guarding the Light. In each of the books, the children must race against time to find objects (the Holy Grail, six circles quartered by a cross), to help the Light conquer the Dark forever. The children's worlds collide in books three, four and five, due to their relationship with the mysterious Merriman Lyon. Lyon is uncle to the Drew children, mentor to Will, and first of all the Old Ones.

The books take place in rural England, the Thames Valley, Cornwall and Wales.

Cooper has written many other enjoyable books, including historical fantasies such as The King of Shadows, where a modern boy experiences life with William Shakespeare and Victory, which links a British girl to a sailor on the HMS Victory in 1805.

What I Like: Cooper's writing is lyrical and sophisticated, as well as descriptive. Cooper's beautiful use of words paints pictures and allows readers to enter into the emotions of her characters. She juxtaposes ordinary, family life with the unseen battle between good and evil in a way that resonates with readers.

"Will shrieked. He only knew it afterwards; he was far too deep in fear to hear the sound of his own voice. For an appalling, pitch-black moment he lay scarcely conscious, lost somewhere out of the world, out in black space. And then, there were quick footsteps up the stairs outside his door, and a voice calling in concern, and blessed light warming the room and bringing him back into life again."

Cooper also gives readers a glimpse of how important choices are, even for young people.

What I Dislike: Nothing. One word of caution--the books in The Dark is Rising series get more scary as the series progresses.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9 and up

Publisher Info: McElderry, 2007; ISBN: 978-1416949961; Paperback, 1088 pages (entire series), $29.99 (Box set)

Buy it at Amazon.com for $19.79.

Special Info: The Dark is Rising won the Newbery Honor in 1974, and book four, The Grey King won the Newbery Award in 1976.

The conflict between Light and Dark is seen as taking place outside the church, and Cooper portrays people within the church as a mix of good and bad. As such, they are not always effective against the Dark. Also, Old Ones do have magic powers, such as mental telepathy, and the ability to move magically between times and places.